Page 5 of An Alien for the Farm

That’s when Xarion’s words come back. Something about hiring a Kari?

“Um, Siri?” I don’t know what else to call the thing. “Google?” I know it isn’t Google either. But I’ve never quite been a technology person. That’s why this whole farming thing appealed even more than usual. “Computer?” It pulses, letting me know it’s listening, and I swallow down my unsurety. “I’d like to hire a Kari to assist with my repairs.”

The device pulses. “Do you mean a Raki?”

I blink at it, tightening my robe as I start to pace. What did Xarion say again? They both sound alike! Running one hand through my wet hair, I stutter. “W-whichever one does repairs?”

“The Raki and the Kari both do repairs, if requested.”

I shrug. “Just hire one please. I need a Kari to help me with my roof.”

“Creating the job ad.”

“Oh shit.” I stop pacing. “I haven’t even checked how many credits I have to use.”

“You have one thousand credits.”

“Okay…” I start pacing again. “And how much would it cost to restore my roof. Give me an estimate.”

“Calculating dimensions, cost of materials, and cost of labor.”

I stop by the window, staring out, and a wild tilgran catches my eye. They look like small versions of a diplodocus but with the patterns of a giraffe. I swear it’s watching me as it bends its head to steal a patch of hay right from an ooga’s mouth. I giggle, some of the tension leaving my shoulders.

“The cost to repair your roof is fifty to sixty credits.”

My eyebrows shoot up. Wow…is that cheap or did New Horizons make me rich? Just how much is a credit worth?

“Should I cancel the job ad?”

“No no! Post it. It will probably take a while to find someone and I need this roof fixed pronto.”

“Job ad posted.”

“Thank you.” I know I’m telling a computer thanks but manners feels appropriate anyway.

Now that the job ad’s been posted I grin again. It might not be much but I’ve accomplished stuff today.

Heading back to the bedroom, I flop in the bed, lids low as I stare up into the ceiling. My hair’s still slightly wet and I’m still in my robe, but I don’t care. I lie like that until sleep claims me, not even hearing the ding of the communication device by my side.

3

ELEANOR

It feels like I haven’t slept in years. The bed on the refugee ship had been nothing but a pod in a line of pods. Like sleeping on a train every night. This though? This is bliss. The bed frame may be old—I’ll probably have to get a new one eventually— but for now, it’s serving its purpose.

I stretch, that thrill from yesterday returning as the sleep leaves my eyes.

It’s morning. I can tell from the pink sky outside my window. I stare at it for a few minutes before rising on my elbows. Despite the good sleep, the joints in my fingers protest as I grip the bed and sit upright. Groaning, I take the pressure off them, as I run my hand through my tangled hair. That’s what I get for not brushing my hair and letting it dry before falling asleep. But who cares? There’s no one for miles to see me. I never knew how freeing it would be to not have to keep up with the Joneses. Never realized how much of my life I’d spent keeping up appearances that didn’t really matter.

It took leaving Earth for me to realize just how small and insignificant I was—and how that meant the fact I even existed at all was a miracle in itself. A miracle worth embracing.

Standing, I yawn as I stretch, some of my joints popping with release that makes me want to groan. I need to get breakfast. I haven’t fully explored the kitchen yet. This is a good day to do it.

I’m sleepily walking toward the living room when there’s a bang on the front door that makes my heart jump up into my mouth.

What the—? That’s not the wind. One of the animals then? Xarion?

I don’t move, staring at the door like it’s an alien when the knock sounds again. Definitely not an animal. Far too heavy and deliberate and somehow, I don’t think it’s gentle Xarion either. Dude looks like he couldn’t even harm a fly.

---